Hospital plans a tough sell

Thursday

May 10, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 10, 2007 at 10:19 AM

Lydia Crafts/Staff Writer

Despite Winchester Hospital’s efforts to convince neighbors of the fiscal, historic and developmental benefits of the 620 Washington St. expansion, an air of skepticism remained among residents at the third informational session last Tuesday.

The Beacon Hill Institute of Suffolk University prepared the fiscal impact report for Winchester Hospital, claiming the 620 Washington St. project would generate immediate and ongoing revenue for the town.

The hospital will pay $1,188,750 in construction and permit fees to the town for the 620 Washington St. project.

During the 17-year construction process, Beacon Hill Institute report showed that the hospital would spend $90 million on architects, construction, landscaping and contractors, with $6.14 million of these funds remaining in Winchester.

Over this same time period, the report states the expansion would create $2.48 million in economic activity for Winchester. Beacon Hill Institute measured economic activity through value added, which involves the hospital’s spending in the community, the indirect spending done by vendors providing services to the hospital and the money spent by hospital employees.

When the project reaches completion in 2022, the report said the hospital would pay $210,000 annually to the town in real estate taxes. Beacon Hill Institute also claimed the project would generate 442 permanent jobs and 89 construction jobs.

Judi Barrett, the town’s financial analyst, intends to do a peer review of Beacon Institute’s report, but has been indisposed because of health concerns.

While the fiscal impact seemed favorable for Winchester, residents questioned the accuracy in the Beacon Institute’s methods.

“It seems like a red herring,” said Drew Bottaro, a member of the Planning Board, skeptical of whether the project would spur as much economic activity in Winchester as the report stated.

Other residents questioned whether the hospital could guarantee the project would generate the economic benefit to the town claimed by Beacon Hill Institute.

Bob Burr, a consultant for College Street Partners, a health care real estate consulting and development firm advising the hospital on this project, said that the project would definitely generate money for construction and permit fees. But he said, “The rest of this fiscal impact could be less or more but the big impact will be the building real estate revenue.”

Historical impact

Matt Bronski, chairman of the Historical Commission, said he was relatively pleased the hospital’s efforts to preserve historic resources on the property.

One month ago, the Historical Commission took issue with the height of largest building in the hospital’s plans and the fact that it was placed directly on Washington Street, hence making the project out of character with the surrounding neighborhood.

The Historical Commission also expressed concern over the demolition of three historic structures, and the fact that asphalt fronted Davidson Park, a historic heritage landscape.

The hospital responded by reducing the building’s height to two stories and placing it further back from the street. Furthermore, two of the three historic buildings were preserved in the new plan, and one structure demolished that lay within 100-foor setback limitations of the Aberjona River.

“I would have liked to see all the buildings saved but I think it’s a good compromise given the other concerns,” said Bronski.

With Davidson Park, the hospital moved the asphalt back from the property line.

Zoning changes

Mark Bobrowski, the town’s land use attorney, gave details on the overlay district proposed for 620 Washington St., while selectmen introduced the concept of the development agreement.

The new zoning bylaw, called the Health Service Overlay District, would allow for an ancillary medical center and commercial uses at the 620 Washington St. site.

On June 4, Town Meeting will consider two warrant articles — the first calling for the creation of the new zoning bylaw and the second requesting the rezoning of 620 Washington St. to HSOD.

In the event Town Meeting votes in favor of the warrant articles, the attorney general will then have to approve HSOD, and the hospital will have to seek approval from the Planning Board for an Area Comprehensive Plan and the ZBA for a Special Permit/Site Review.

Along with the HSOD, Town Meeting will consider a development agreement between the Board of Selectmen and hospital.

Selectman Peter Haley explained the development agreement is a contract between the hospital and the selectmen that attempts to mitigate development and ensure the project meets the financial interests of the town.

He said the town depends too much on residents for real estate taxes, and this project represents an opportunity to increase a commercial tax base. Haley also noted Winchester Hospital represents the largest employer and benefactor to the town and has agreed to implement traffic and flooding mitigation measures.

“The Board of Selectmen need to weigh these concerns and make a decision that is reasonable,” said Haley. “The board will examine this contract with all of you and then make a decision. Our charge is to memorialize an agreement that reflects the neighborhood and abutters’ interest as well as the town as a whole,” said Haley.

But residents remained unenthusiastic in their response. “This project is not a good idea,” said Susan Penny, of Mystic Valley Parkway. “It’s just too big.”

“Some neighbors are already worried about the project and are willing to give up and move,” said Anne Serra, of Swanton Street. “Because of this property values might be affected.”